Nuclear Neighbourhoods describes a series of studies of the attitudes of residents to plans for the development of power industries in their region. The major theme is that the attitudes of the local residents towards nuclear facilities and other major developments deserve to be taken seriously, even where these attitudes diverge from those of 'experts'.

This divergence reflects the importance and value which supporters and opponents attach to different aspects of the issues and different consequences of any development. A very important consideration is people's trust in the competence and commitment of industry (and government) to manage and prevent the risks of accidents. At the same time, much opposition to nuclear power is not specifically antinuclear, but is more concerned with protecting those aspects of the local environment which would be threatened by any major industrial development.

Although cast in a local context, the research described illustrates more general changes in public attitudes on environmental issues. The book concludes with a discussion of the possible future for nuclear power in a changed political and economic climate.